The Social Security Administration has stated that the COLA will go up in 2025. But millions of retirees will have to wait before they can get the rise. This extra money won’t be sent to people who get SSI until December 31. It will be sent later to people who get retirement benefits and SSDI.
Some of you must be thinking why people who get SSI get their 2025 COLA increase from the government on December 31, 2025, instead of January 1, 2025.
SSI recipients to collect the 2025 COLA increase first
SSI payments were supposed to start on January 1, 2024, but they had to be moved to December 31, 2024. This is because on Federal Holidays, SSA never sends checks or delivers direct payments.
So, to avoid delays, the SSI check with COLA will be sent out 24 hours ahead of time. Do not forget that people who get SSI have a low income, so any delays in payouts could make things hard for them financially.
It will not be until January 3, 8, 15, or 22 that retirees can start getting the extra money from the COLA. But in order to get any of these payments, all recipients had to fill out a form and get approval from SSA. You won’t be able to get any of these benefits if you have never asked for them.
Social Security retirement and SSDI payments with the 2025 COLA increase
The payment schedule for retirees and disability recipients on SSDI is the same. Both groups need to meet the eligibility requirements for each payday that the Administration set for 2025.
- Social Security payment on January 3, 2025:
- began collecting retirement or SSDI payments before May 1997
- the recipient is also collecting Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Social Security payment on January:
- 8th: born 1-10
- 15th: born 11-20
- 22nd: born 21-31
The 2025 COLA increase will be part of all of these amounts. That means benefits will keep going up for another year. There are other ways to get extra money besides your small cheque. You can apply for SSI and SNAP payments.